Develop a Discipleship System
Call to Worship
Beloved, pay attention! The Holy Spirit sweeps among us, binding us together as family in Christ.
We are children of God, heirs of grace.
Beloved, have you noticed? The Holy Spirit moves among us, creating and renewing the whole of creation, inspiring us to co-create with God and one another.
We are children of God, co-creators in grace.
Beloved, be encouraged. The Holy Spirit lives among us, surrounding us with mercy and grace, witnessing to us about God’s steadfast love for God’s people.
We are children of God, witnesses to grace.
Beloved, pay attention! Whether in a rushing wind or a gentle breath, the Holy Spirit welcomes you here, for we are all children of God, brought together by grace.
We are children of God, knit together by the Spirit. Thanks be to God! Amen.
Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, October 2024.
Opening Prayer
May we feel your presence this day, Holy Spirit, like the people gathered on that Day of Pentecost. May you rush into our hearts and inebriate our souls. May we be empowered by your Spirit to live a life more faithful to God. Amen.
Written by Ciona D. Rouse, The Africana Worship Book, Year C (Nashville: Discipleship Resources, 2008), 123.
Prayer of Confession
O God, You who are always doing a new thing,
we confess that we sometimes close windows
against the fresh air of new ideas,
against the noise of other people’s worries,
against the winds of change.
God of every place and time,
we confess that we often draw the curtains
against people who are different,
against world news or community concerns.
Forgive us our insulation in our locked homes,
our shuttered churches,
the security systems on our hearts.
Open up our lives,
and let your Spirit blow through. Amen.
Written by Teri on the RevGalBlogPals, A Place for Prayer blog, http://revgalprayerpals.blogspot.ca/. Re-posted on the re:Worship blog at https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2013/04/prayer-opening-windows.html.
Benediction
May God, who gives us a spirit of adoption, bless you today, carrying you on the winds of the Spirit into the world to share the love, grace, and family that have been so lavishly given to each and every one of us. Amen.
Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, October 2024.
